Woman Says Daughter Caught Whooping Cough at Hospital

Woman Says Daughter Caught Whooping Cough at Hospital

Jessica Chavez says just last week, her daughter was coughing uncontrollably. This week it’s a different story, Adalina Porraz is all smiles.

“She was coughing so hard, it was like she couldn’t breathe you know,” Chavez, a single mother of two, said Friday.

Chavez says her daughter was diagnosed at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Hospital with pertussis and she believes that’s where she caught it.

“I took her in and I told them she sounds really bad and they tested her for pertussis and two days later they said she had it,” Chavez said.

The hospital is not confirming the 18-month-old was infected at Kaiser, but the hospital did confirm that an employee was diagnosed with whooping cough and had the potential to expose those around them between April 22 and May 6.

Chavez says her daughter was feeling ill several times in April on the 4th, 13th, and the 27th; all resulting in trips to Kaiser South. Chavez says the CDC called her regarding her daughter being infected.

“We take this very seriously, and are responding with extreme diligence. Pertussis is an issue that is affecting all parts of the community, not just Kaiser Permanente,” the medical facility’s Chief of Infectious Disease Dr. John Belko said.

Chavez says she’s just happy that Adalina’s coughs have been replaced with laughs and she’s on the road to recovery.